Polk County
Genealogical Society, Inc.
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The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, January 4, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 19 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Teresa Barker, and Secretary Joyce Burkhart. Absent was the Director at Large James Whitman. Others present were members Rena Altic, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Ray and Sue Brown, Daisy Fowler, Charles Gass, Mike and Bunny Jones, Lou Kemp, Roy and Deva Kirchner, Janice Mitchell, Rena Smith, Julie Trout and visitor Michael Jones. The membership received a copy of the December 18, 2006 PCGS monthly executive minutes compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The December 7, 2006 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and approved as read. Julie Trout gave the treasurer’s report. The balances for January 5, 2007 were as follows: Checking Account $2,221.36, Savings Account $8,623.93, Petty Cash $100.56. The Supplemental Account was listed as $1,651.69. These 4 accounts totaled $12,597.54. This was a decrease of $2,539.30 from last month with the big purchase of the copier. The sales were $177.00 and research $177.50. The electric bill for December was $190.37 and for January $ $224.99. Membership is 183 as of January 1, 2007. The report was approved as read. The 2007 officers were welcomed: President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Teresa Barker, Secretary Joyce Burkhart, and Director at Large James Whitman. The out-going officers Treasurer Julie Trout and Leta Gass were thanked for their efforts in 2006. PCGS gave Susan Sparks a certificate for a Memorial Tree in the Greenwood Cemetery paid for by monies previously set aside for this type of acknowledgement. Orders for PCGS shirts were to be taken directly after the meeting. 2007 treasurer Teresa Barker also collected PCGS dues, $15 for single membership, $20 for family with an additional $5.00 processing fee for new members. James Whitman, Director at Large, has begun the PCGS inventory and has requested help. Julie Trout has donated a small used television set to PCGS. A three-tier stand donated by the Bolivar School system should be arriving next week. The Spring Conference is set for Saturday, April 14, 2007. Jerry Stokes of Lawrence Photo has agreed to be a speaker. He will present the topic of ‘The World of Digital Photography,’ and is available between the hours of 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any questions can be directed to the coordinator Bunny Jones PCGS membership agreed to participate in the Bolivar Picnic and School Reunion. The program was a brain storming activity for setting and prioritizing of the 2007 goals to be accomplished by PCGS with table monitors of Leta Gass, Teresa Barker, and Bunny Jones using a survey form created by Joyce Burkhart. The next executive meeting is Monday, January 22 at 5:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the PCGS Library. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Joyce Burkhart, Secretary, PCGS February
The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, March 1, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 20 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Teresa Barker, Secretary Joyce Burkhart and Director at Large James Whitman. Others present were members Rena Altic, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Ray and Sue Brown, Charles Gass, Ramona Jones, Karl and Donna Keenan, Roy and Deva Kirchner, Bob Phillips, Rena Smith, Julie Trout and visitor Bob Keelings. Julie Trout was honored with a plaque for her years of service to PCGS. The membership received a copy of the January 22 and February 22, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The January 4, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and approved as read after the addition of the name of Julie Trout as attendee. The February 1, 2007 regular monthly meeting had been cancelled due to weather conditions. Teresa Barker read the treasurer’s report. The balances for January 5, 2007 were as follows: Checking Account $3,115.95, Savings Account $8,631.26, Petty Cash $73.62. The Supplemental Account was listed as $2,651.43. These 4 accounts totaled $14,472.26. This was an increase of $1,874.72 since January 1, 2007. The Capacity Building Fund as of March 1 was equal to approximately $21,373.74. Endowment as of December 31, 2006 was $5,677.85. Membership is 189 as of March 1, 2007 of which 60 members still need to renew. The report was approved as read. The Annual Spring Conference entitled Where to Look – Who to Ask is set for Saturday, April 14, 2007 in the CMH Community Rooms. Jerry Stokes of Lawrence Photo will present the topic of The World of Digital Photography. Any questions can be directed to the coordinator Bunny Jones. Charles Gass has the forms for the PCGS Library renovation nearly complete. A thank you was extended to James Whitman and Ramona Jones for the completion of the library inventory. A copy of the PCGS library inventory is available on each floor. Susan Sparks requests you to bring items for the display case by March 31, 2007. The theme is Business Advertising in Polk County. Susan Sparks reports that there is only 14 cards left for sale on the fundraiser, "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards. If the order is submitted soon the souvenir tins will be provided to PCGS at no cost. Arrival of the cards for sale is expected 6 weeks after submission. The next executive meeting is Monday, March 19, 2007 at 1:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the PCGS Library. The speaker will be Ernestine Kinsey with a program on the Stewart Family during the Civil War. Due to the illness of Paul Mott the planned March program, The Tax Man Cometh, was cancelled. Susan Sparks presented her thoroughly researched power point program, Downtown Treasures A Virtual Tour of the Bolivar Square 1835-2007. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Joyce Burkhart, Secretary, PCGS
The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, April 5, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 21 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Teresa Barker, and Secretary Joyce Burkhart. Director at Large James Whitman was absent. Others present were members Reva Altic, Gary Ayres, Ray and Sue Brown, Daisy Fowler, Jack Glendenning, Roy and Deva Kirchner, Bob Phillips, Rena Smith, Jean Vincent, and Jessie Wheeler. Visitors present were Woodrow Kinsey, Harold Simmons and Patricia Zumwalt. The speaker was Ernestine Kinsey. The proofs for the Limited Edition of "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards arrived April 3, 2007 for our proofreading and approval. Contractor’s Alliance of Ft. Scott, KS set up scaffolding on Tuesday, April 3 to begin tuck point work. The membership received a copy of the March 19, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The March 1, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and approved as read. Treasurer Teresa Barker read the treasurer’s report. The balances for March 1, 2007 were as follows: Checking Account $2,310.28, Savings Account $8,645.22, Petty Cash $93.54. The Supplemental Account was listed as $2,652.27. These 4 accounts totaled $13,701.28. Membership was not reported. The report was approved as read. On display was the Confederate Heritage Quilt created in February 2007, designed by Harold Simmons and Wanda Downen, Embroidery by Paula Dixon, Quilt maker Wanda Downen, Pressed by Irene Louden Barger, Machine quilted by Jane Cole, Raffled by Col. John T. Coffee Camp No. 1934, April 14, 2007. Gary Ayres gave a summary of the quilt creation and noted family represented on the quilt. Harold Simmons accepted payments for raffle tickets, $1 each or 6 for $5. The Annual Spring Conference entitled Where to Look – Who to Ask is set for Saturday, April 14, 2007 in the CMH Community Rooms. Claud Hoffman, Profession Land surveyor will present Harmony Mission to Campbell’s Mill Road. Jerry Stokes of Lawrence Photo will present The World of Digital Photography. Any questions can be directed to the coordinator Bunny Jones. Ernestine Kinsey, 1020 N Hartford Ave., Bolivar, MO 65613, 326-5691, present a program on the Polk County Stewart Family during the Civil War. The Evan Stewart family arrived in Missouri in 1828 settling in Polk County in 1830, farmed, had slaves and raised horses. Evan and several sons served in the war on the Confederate side. Wife Nancy Jenkins Stewart was ill and died when Bolivar Home Guard arrived and dragged her out of her house on a mattress. The slaves are said to have buried her in the nearby slave cemetery. Son Frances Marion Stewart who served under Joseph Shelby survived the war but had to search in northern Missouri for his family where they had fled. A heart-felt reunion with wife, Rebecca, and children was made when he spotted his 22-year-old horse tied at a James Town mercantile’s hitching post. Their son, Augusta Stewart, lived to be 107 years old and told Ernestine these stories many times. Ernestine still has a rocker built by Frances for Rebecca. Zumwalt family ties were also discussed. The next executive meeting is Monday, April 16, 2007 at 5:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the PCGS Library. The speaker will be Architect Ed Kurtz of Design Group Architects LTD, 1913 West Broadway St, Bolivar MO 65613, 326-3033. The program will be on the older homes of Bolivar. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Joyce Burkhart, Secretary, PCGS
The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, May 3, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 26 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Teresa Barker, Secretary Joyce Burkhart, and Director at Large James Whitman. Others present were members: Herb and Roseann Boyce, Ray and Sue Brown, Charles Gass, Jack Glendenning, Ramona Jones, Lou Kemp, Karl M. Keenan, Roy and Deva Kirchner, Jr., Jill McCracken, Bob Phillips, Rena Smith, Sylvia Thomas, and Julie Trout. Visitors present were Elizabeth and Julian Pace, and Frank and Melba DeShazo. The speaker was Ed Kurtz. The membership received a copy of the April 16, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The April 5, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and approved as read. Teresa Barker read the treasurer’s report. The balances for May 3, 2007 were as follows: Checking Account $1,867.09, Savings Account $8,652.33, Petty Cash $108.92. The Supplemental Account was listed as $2,652.97. These 4 accounts totaled $13,281.31. This was a decrease of $419.97 since April 5, 2007. As of March 31, 2007 the balance of the Endowment fund was $5,938.09 and the Capacity Building fund was $21,634.34. Membership as of May 3, 2007 was 167 with 36 previous members dropped from the roll for non-payment of dues. The report was approved as read. PCGS will have a picnic Saturday, June 2, 2007 in the Dunnegan Park 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in place of the usual Thursday night meeting. The society will provide the meat and cutlery. John Rutherford will present the program, "Ozark Trivia". Mark and Zaq Sparks will also have a presentation for the younger generation. PCGS members and their immediate families and members of the courthouse staff and county commissioners are invited to this potluck picnic. The proofs for the Limited Edition of "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards that arrived April 3, 2007 is getting their final proofreading. There will be 1000 decks available for purchase, each in a decorative tin box priced at $12 per deck with sponsors having the first pick. The next deck, a military deck, is already started. The only restrictions for the military deck is either the sponsor must be a member of the society or current resident of Polk County or the military person must have Polk County roots. The number of PCGS researchers is on an increase as warmer weather and vacation time draws more visitors to our area. Additional volunteers are needed to allow PCGS to provide all the individual service we pride ourselves on offering to our patrons. Please, volunteer there is a position for you. Ed Kurtz of Design Group Architects LTD, 1913 West Broadway St., Bolivar MO 65613, 417-326-3033, presented the program, Yes, Bolivar has "Architectural" Style. His informative power point program showed examples of a range of architectural styles from 1850 to the present including Dutch Colonial, Adams, Greek Revival, Arts and Crafts, Mission, and Contemporary Folk. He pointed out scrollwork made of California redwood, alcoves, welcoming porches, expanded chimneys, variations of cornices, and roof types. He discussed numerous styles and explained terminology such as foursquare and shotgun houses using local currently standing recognizable homes as examples. He recommended for further study the books: A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia and Lee McAlester and Under Every Roof a Kid’s Style and Field Guide to the Architecture of American Houses by Patricia Brown Glenn. The next executive meeting is Monday, May 21, at 5:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 2 at 4:00 p. m. for a picnic at the Dunnegan Park. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Joyce Burkhart, Secretary, PCGS
June The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, July 5, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 38 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Secretary Joyce Burkhart, and Director at Large James Whitman. Others present were members: Reva Altic, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Ray and Sue Brown, Daisy Fowler, Charles Gass, Jack Glendenning, Bunny and Mike Jones, Ramona Jones, Karl and Donna Keenan, Roy and Deva Kirchner, Jr., Carl Locke, Lydia Hamilton, Rena Smith, Julie Trout, and Jessie Wheeler. Visitors present were Willa and Harold Chambers, Travis and Shirley Cook, Mariam Copeland (Mrs. Van Copeland), Velma Dablemont, Ben and Marquita Gravely, Frank and Melba DeShazo, Shelley Haught and Michael Jones. The speakers were Uncle Norten Dablemont and Larry Dablemont. As there had been a picnic instead of a regular June meeting the membership received a copy of both the May 21 and June 18, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes, compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The May 3, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and approved as read. Julie Trout read the treasurer’s report. The balances for July 5, 2007 were as follows: Checking Account $1,207.09, Savings Account $8,666.80, Petty Cash $133.81. The Supplemental Account was listed as $2,654.47. These 4 accounts totaled $12,662.17. Julie reported a deposit of $1,079.70 yet to be made, for a grand total of $13,741.87. The PCGS membership as of July 5, 2007 was 179. The report was approved as read. With the board’s June 18th acceptance of the resignation of Teresa Barker as treasurer due to health reasons, Julie Trout was nominated as a candidate for treasurer. There were no other nominations from the floor. A vote will be taken at the August 2, 2007 meeting. The shipment of Limited Edition of "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards arrived July 5, 2007. Only 940 of the 1000 ordered decks arrived due to the rest being damaged beyond recovery during shipping. PCGS will have extended hours and an advertisement will appear in the Wednesday July 11th Bolivar Herald-Free Press newspaper to promote the sell of the historical deck. The deck in its decorative tin box is priced at $12 per deck. The public will be at that time extended the opportunity to participate in the future military deck. Volunteers are needed to help with the increased influx of public into the library. The local radio station KYOO wants stories for their 60-second spot Historical Moments. Please submit your stories or ideas to President Susan Sparks. Larry Dablemont, local author, gave a rousing introduction for his Uncle Norten Dablemont, the Ridge Runner, as our July speaker. Uncle Norten’s stories took us from his birth, October 26, 1923 along the Big Piney, to the Battle of the Bulge and back to the Ozarks. Uncle Norten, who is small in statue, had been a member of the 101st Airborne Paratrooper at Bastogne. The 101st had so few surviving members that it had been decommission and combined with the 82nd Airborne. Uncle Norten told of some of his exploits leading up to and during World War II and his survival in a snow cellar. His father would often shake his head and say, "Norten, you have done it again." Particularly when he buried a calf in the garden during the depression. Besides his military awards, this avid outdoorsman displayed a handmade wooden trap for the capture of fur-bearing animals. He told of how he labors over each detail as he still makes oars out of the lightweight sassafras trees and invites us to view his large garden. Check out www.larrydablemont.com for the book The Ridge Runner to read the details of his intriguing stories. The next executive meeting is Monday, July 16, at 1:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 2, at 7 p. m. with Brenda Pearson from Shell Title as the speaker. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Joyce Burkhart, PCGS, Secretary
The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, August 2, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Leta Gass at 7:00 p.m. A total of 25 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were Vice-President Leta Gass, Secretary Joyce Burkhart, and Director at Large James Whitman. President Susan Sparks was working at the Ozark Empire Fair. Others present were members: Reva Altic, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Ray and Sue Brown, Kristy and Kimberly Flick, Daisy Fowler, Charles Gass, Neva Charlene Gardner, Bunny and Mike Jones, Ramona Jones, Karl Keenan, Carl Locke, Janice Mitchell, Rena Smith, Julie Trout, Gary and Patty Warren, and Jessie Wheeler. Our speaker was Brenda Pearson. The membership received a copy of July 16, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes, compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The July 5, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and approved as read. Julie Trout reported the July checking account balance as $6,773.95. She will have a full account available at the August 20th executive meeting. The PCGS membership as of August 2, 2007 was 184. There were no questions from the floor and was accepted as given. By a show of hands Julie Trout was voted in as the PCGS Treasurer to complete the 2007 term of office of Teresa Barker who had resigned in June due to health reasons. The historical deck of "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards has had a good reception and PCGS is selling 2 to 3 decks per day. The deck in its decorative tin box is priced at $12 per deck. The membership is encouraged to participate in the veteran deck that only needs a few more sponsors or the next historical deck that has been started. The cost to the sponsor ranges from $60 to $200 depending on the playing card selected. A volunteer sign-up sheet for the Bolivar School Reunion & Picnic set for September 8, 2007 was passed around. Gretchen Pulley will be present at our booth to autograph her original watercolor painting of the Courthouse, commemorating its centennial. The prints will be sold for $25 each with a $10 shipping fee. She will donate one-half of the purchase price of each print to PCGS to help further our research and preservation of history. The August PCGS speaker was Brenda Pearson, one of the owners of Shell Title Company since 1983. She spoke on the work that goes on at the company from title searches to real estate closings. She informed the group that paper abstracts were used until 1990s when the company computerized the information and the lending banks started accepting title insurance. To do a title search a good legal description of the land is needed. Then they will research their own records; the courthouse records and calls people such as real estate agents. There was a lively exchange of questions and answers regarding terminology, including Quit Claim deeds, Quiet Title suites, Beneficiary deeds, fence row boundaries, long sections, foreclosure sales vs. tax sales, and Devil’s Lanes otherwise known as No Man’s Land. The next executive meeting is Monday, August 20, at 1:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, at 7 p. m. with a share time planned. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Joyce Burkhart, PCGS Secretary The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, September 6, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 33 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Julie Trout, and Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The Director at Large James Whitman was absent. Others present were members: Reva Altic, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Ray and Sue Brown, Bob Cook, Betty Doyle, Kristy and Kimberly Flick, Daisy Fowler, Neva Charlene Gardner, Jack Glendenning, Ben Gravely, Deva and Roy Kirchner, Jr., Carl Locke, Bob Phillips, Rena Smith, Laura & Kimberlin Ritter, Pat Zumwalt. Visitors were Frank Deshazo, John Fuller, Peter Nichols, Denzil and Donna Roberts, Larry Schunemeyer, Dixie Zink. Our speaker was Wilbur Zink. The membership received a copy of the August 27, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes, compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The August 2, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and approved as read. Treasurer Julie Trout reported the September checking account balance as $5,894.71, savings account balance as $8,681.53, supplemental account balance as $2,656.07 and petty cash as $205.31. These 4 accounts total $17,437.62. The June 20, 2007 Endowment fund balance as $6,309.56 and the Capacity building fund as $21,870.70. A check in the amount of $17,500.00 as been requested for the tuck-pointing project from the building fund. The PCGS membership as of September 6, 2007 was 182. There were no questions from the floor and was accepted as given. The veteran’s deck of "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards is nearly ready to send off to the printer. At this time a supplier of decorative tins has not been found. PCGS is accepting sponsors for a third deck of Playing Cards. The Bolivar School Reunion & Picnic, September 8, 2007, has a threat of rain. Members are encouraged to attend the activities including the exhibit of the Courthouse Time Capsule showcase. PCGS will have for sale the cards, the schoolbook, and Gretchen Pulley’s watercolor painting of the Courthouse, commemorating its centennial. Congressman Roy Blunt will be taking a tour or our facility. President Susan Sparks appointed Joyce Burkhart as head of the nominating committee. Leta Gass presented Roy S. Kirchner, Jr. a plaque in thanks of his contributions to PCGS. It read: With sincere thanks to Roy Stanley Kirchner, Jr. for his efforts in promoting the advancement of the Polk County Genealogical Society and its holdings with his generous donations throughout the years. August 2, 2007 The annual PCGS group picture is scheduled for the October 4 regular meeting please come early. The September PCGS speaker Wilbur Zink, 1412 Cooper Blvd Springfield MO 65802, was introduced by Bob Phillips. Wilbur is a collector of Jesse James memorabilia and was a pallbearer at the October 28, 1995 re-interment of Jesse James body at Kearney MO Mt Olive Cemetery after DNA testing had taken place. He provided a short genealogical history of the James family and then gave a narrative of his first hand participation of this exhumation and burial. He donated a CD of The Young Desperados. The next executive meeting is Monday, September 17, at 1:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 4, at 7 p. m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Joyce Burkhart, PCGS Secretary The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, October 4, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 31 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Julie Trout, Secretary Joyce Burkhart and Director at Large James Whitman. Others members present were: Teresa Barker, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Ray and Sue Brown, Daisy Fowler, Charles Gass, Ben Gravely, Roy Hankey, Beverly Hood, Ramona Jones, Lou Thelen Kemp, Deva and Roy Kirchner, Jr., Janice Mitchell, Alan Peters, Bob Phillips, Bettyann Reed, and Mark Sparks. Visitors present were Naomi Barham, Helen Chappell, Connie Clausen, Marquita Gravely, Lorraine Kincaid, and Karen Penticuff. Our speaker was Cheri Jones. Twenty-four people participated in the annual PCGS group picture taken on the library’s front steps, by photographer Mark Sparks. The membership received a copy of the September 25, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes, compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The September 6, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and after a correction to the membership status of Bob Cook was approved as read. Treasurer, Julie Trout, reported the October checking account balance as $7,897.04, savings account balance as $8,688.67, supplemental building account balance as $40,168.07 and petty cash as $195.30. These 4 accounts total $56,949.08. Total sales at the Rural School Reunion were reported as $754, Humansville Fall Festival as $58, and Stockton Walnut Festival as $114. The PCGS membership as of October 1, 2007 was 189. There were no questions from the floor and was accepted as given. Members were encouraged to sign thank you notes, one to Roy Blunt for his tour September 8, 2007 of the PCGS Library, and one to the construction crew of Mid-State Restoration of Pleasanton Kansas for their tuck-point work. Candy donations were requested for distribution in front of our library on Halloween. Members were encouraged to attend the Saturday, October 13 Courthouse Centennial Celebration including the re-laying of the cornerstone and a parade. PCGS will have a table set up in the courthouse with the following for sale: the historical deck of "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards, the school book Memories of One-Room Country Schools and Gretchen Pulley’s watercolor painting of the Courthouse. Members were also encouraged to attend and volunteer at the Greenwood Cemetery Living History Tour to be held Friday and Saturday, October 19th and 20th. Joyce Burkhart, nominating chairman, submitted to the membership a proposed slate of officers for 2008 as follows: President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Teresa Barker, Treasurer Leta Gass, Secretary Julie Trout and Director at Large James Whitman. There were no other candidates nominated from the floor. The election for officers will be held November 1, 2007. The October PCGS speaker, Cheri Jones of 4270 South 137th Road Bolivar MO 65613, is a former teacher who now devotes her time to Heritage Scrap booking. Cheri’s philosophy is to incorporate as much community history and genealogical information as possible into her scrapbook and to use the person’s own handwritten material when available. Cheri encouraged the correct archival friendly storage of original photographs and demonstrated several techniques for getting memorabilia to adhere to the scrapbook page. She illustrated the use of and donated a container of Scrapper’s Solution by Un-Du for the removal of pictures stuck in an old album. She ended by reciting the poem, The Strangers in the Box. The next executive meeting is Monday, October 15, at 1:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, at 7 p. m. the meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Submitted by Joyce Burkhart, PCGS Secretary The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, November 2, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 28 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Julie Trout, Secretary Joyce Burkhart and Director at Large James Whitman. Present were members Reva Altic, Teresa Barker, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Larry Boyd, Ray and Sue Brown, Vernon Drewa, Kimberly Flick, Kristy Flick, Daisy Fowler, Neva C. Gardner, Charles Gass, Jack Glendenning, Ben Gravely, Ramona Jones, Deva and Roy Kirchner, Jr., Janice Mitchell, Bob Phillips, Rena Smith and visitor Nancy Roy. Our speaker was Dr. Jack Roy. The membership received a copy of the October 15, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes, compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The October 4, 2007 regular monthly minutes were read aloud and were approved as read. Treasurer, Julie Trout, reported the November checking account balance as $7,463.19, savings account balance as $8,775.05, supplemental building account balance as $6,789.49 and petty cash as $75.45. These 4 accounts total $23,103.18. At the Greenwood Cemetery Living History Tour there were a $20 sale and $79 in donations. The PCGS membership as of November 1, 2007 was 196. There were no questions from the floor and was accepted as given. Officers elected for 2008 are as follows: President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Teresa Barker, Treasurer Leta Gass, Secretary Julie Trout and Director at Large James Whitman. PCGS was the recipient of a $1000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to be put toward the restoration our Historical 1914 Carnegie Library. Leta Gass had completed and submitted the paperwork in October. The veteran deck of "Real" Souvenir Playing Cards is due to be arriving by the middle of November. Susan Sparks reported good weather and attendance at the Greenwood Living History Tour. With one visitor quoted as saying, "This is better than the History Channel." Susan also reported an overwhelming number of children out Trick or Treating in front of our library on Halloween. The theme for the showcase for the fourth quarter is Military Memorabilia. The PCGS Library will be closed November 21-25 and December 21st to January 1st. The November PCGS speaker, Dr. Jack Roy of Dadeville, a retired Director of School Law for the Department of Education in Jefferson City, MO gave a summary of the book he authored, A History of the Pyle-Roy Mixer Co 1929-1935. This well documented book is a testament to the ingenuity of his father and uncles who invented and produced the Buttercup churn and mixer with no special equipment near Cane Hill, MO. Their innovative ideas exemplified the American spirit. This patented Buttercup churn fitted on any common Mason jar and had an adjustable dasher. It was sold in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Kentucky. It was priced in a 1930s catalog for $0.75; the price now ranges from $60.00 to $225.00, if one can be found. Jack had on display 4 versions of the churn. The next executive meeting is Monday, November 19, at 1:00 p. m. The next regular meeting is Thursday, December 6, at 7 p. m. and will be a Christmas Party and share time. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Submitted by Joyce Burkhart, PCGS Secretary
The Polk County Genealogical Society met Thursday, December 13, 2007 at the PCGS Library for their regular monthly meeting. The meeting was called to order by President Susan Sparks at 7:00 p.m. A total of 23 people attended the meeting. Officers in attendance were President Susan Sparks, Vice-President Leta Gass, Treasurer Julie Trout, Secretary Joyce Burkhart and Director at Large James Whitman. Present were members Reva Altic, Herb and Roseann Boyce, Kimberly Flick, Kristy Flick, Charles Gass, Jack Glendenning, Ben Gravely, Ramona Jones, Karl & Donna Keenan, Lou Kemp, Deva and Roy Kirchner, Jr., Janice Mitchell, Bob Phillips, Rena Smith and visitor Marquita Gravely. The membership received a copy of the November 19, 2007 PCGS monthly executive minutes, compiled by Secretary Joyce Burkhart. The November 2, 2007 regular monthly minutes were also handed out and were approved as read. Treasurer Julie Trout reported the December checking account balance as $8,945.54, savings account balance as $8782.26, supplemental building account balance as $6,794.41 and petty cash as $149.98. These 4 accounts total $24,672.19. The PCGS Bolivar Area Community Foundation balances as Capacity Building $4,596.03 and the Endowment Fund $26,862.79 totally $31,458.82. Income from sales for November was $1,259.50 and for the first week of December $1,359.00. The PCGS membership as of December 6, 2007 was 201. There were no questions from the floor and was accepted as given. Membership fees are due as of January 2008. All PCGS Library keys are to be signed out for the 2008 year or returned. Julie reported 128 copies of Memories of One-Room Country Schools have been sold. The deck of cards fundraiser is doing well with 372 of #1 deck, with approximately 60 given away, and 82 of #2 deck, with approximately 52 given away. Deck #3 has had good response from the public with only 16 more cards needing sponsors. The roof is complete except for a decorative capstone. Susan is in regular contact with contractor; his daughter has been very ill. An index for the Polk County History Book is now available on the PCGS web site. The PCGS Library will be closed December 21st to January 1st for Christmas vacation. The executive meeting is Monday, December 17 at 5:30. The next regular meeting is Thursday, January 3, 2008. The program for the December meeting was a Share Time. Bob Phillips displayed a Civil War bullet mold and lead ladle. Roy Kirchner passed around two very old albums with pictures of his wife and her relatives. Jack Glendenning gave a narrative on Lewy Lapour, a former Fair Play Cafe owner, buried at Barren Creek. Rena Smith told of Dudley White’s misfortune and his children’s discovery of each other’s existence after 20 years. Kimberly Flick displayed a shadow box with a picture, the will and bifocal glasses of Chillicothe relative, John Graham. Kristy Flick displayed pre-civil war letters of a lawyer Patton, pointing out how they were folded, their wax marks, and that they had no stamps. Ben Gravely explained how the Union Cannon Ball, concussion type, that was used as a door stop at his family paper, Bolivar Free Press, could occasionally be seen rolling down the sidewalk. Karl Keenan, a world traveler, showed off one of his poor man’s souvenirs, a white rock from the shore of the Dead Sea and discussed the wave action of the sea and the pillars of salt. Leta Gass pointed out the address and drawing on the coconut that her father, Homer Mathews, sent to his mother in Dunnegan from the South Pacific between 1943-45. Herb Boyce let us ponder why 60 pocket knives could be found scattered about in one yard as he stated he had found over 12,000 coins over the years using a metal detector. The best spot for finding coins being the old Bolivar Fair Grounds. Joyce Burkhart had a grape trivet her grandmother, Bertha Jane Paul Culbertson, had crochet. James Whitman told of his fierce Brighton, MO, relative Sgt. John Wade Whitman travels with Sherman’s Army, melting down RR rails and marching in the Wash. DC victory parade. Susan Sparks displayed a lead camel and monkey her grandfather, Glenn B. Miller, crafted and of his documented search for linotype metal. Submitted by Joyce Burkhart, PCGS Secretary
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